It was a very dense, thought-provoking book. I think his opinions are somewhat exaggerated or too pessimistic, but nonetheless his eye for showing how particular conceptions of the world and life affect actions and how certain popular philosophies have led directly to popular culture.

This book makes a much needed companion book to any of the more abundant how-to-parent style books. Give Them Grace isn’t about the nitty-gritty of daily parenting (though there is an appendix with application examples), but about stepping back and realizing it’s not about how you parent, but about knowing, loving, and imitating Jesus.

The theology was solid and well applied. Though I wish she’d had more covenant theology and presumed paedobaptism, by not having done so her message does have a broader audience. She does address a needed category: parents coming to the faith when their children are older and other situations where it is clear the children are not yet saved. She talks about how to address children who are and who are not [as far as we know] saved. It’s left open enough to appeal to and apply to both baptists and paedobaptists.

Parenting is one primary avenue for sanctification, and Fitzpatrick’s approach comes at it more from that angle, avoiding and decrying the “how to turn out [i.e. manipulate] ‘good kids.'” She is correct in pointing out the problems with this easy-to-fall-into mentality: we don’t save our children, our children’s salvation is more important than their behavior, ‘good kids’ isn’t even a biblical category. Instead, we must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, and invite our children along for the ride, knowing God is the one working in them according to His plan and not ours.

You simply can’t go wrong when turning to Wodehouse for entertainment. This cheered up the last leg of our drive home from vacation several weeks ago and since then has kept the smile on my face and chuckle in my throat during dinner prep and dish washing. Wodehouse is the master of simile.

I don’t think it’s the best way to talk to kids through things, but as I thought about it I gave her the benefit of the doubt in that she’s trying to explain the thinking behind what you say and how you treat misbehaving kids. She did clarify at one point, I’m pretty sure, that you shouldn’t use them as scripts or say all of it. So the dissertations, I think, were primarily as an example of what’s behind what you say to your kids rather than what you actually verbalize.

Her thinking + a good dose of Auntie Leila’s straightforwardness would be a perfect mix. :)

“Her thinking + a good dose of Auntie Leila’s straightforwardness would be a perfect mix. :)” Agreed.

Thank you for making me feel like I wasn’t just being cranky. Sometimes, I do think children need a swat and then to move on with their day, other times I agree it needs more and that is where we tend to need refinement…

I don’t think it’s the best way to talk to kids through things, but as I thought about it I gave her the benefit of the doubt in that she’s trying to explain the thinking behind what you say and how you treat misbehaving kids. She did clarify at one point, I’m pretty sure, that you shouldn’t use them as scripts or say all of it. So the dissertations, I think, were primarily as an example of what’s behind what you say to your kids rather than what you actually verbalize.

Her thinking + a good dose of Auntie Leila’s straightforwardness would be a perfect mix. :)

“Her thinking + a good dose of Auntie Leila’s straightforwardness would be a perfect mix. :)” Agreed.

Thank you for making me feel like I wasn’t just being cranky. Sometimes, I do think children need a swat and then to move on with their day, other times I agree it needs more and that is where we tend to need refinement…

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Hi! I’m Mystie. At Simply Convivial I write about managing a full life as a mom: not only on productivity hacks, organization tools, and homeschool curriculum, but also on cheerful attitudes and necessary habits. Together, let’s get a handle on our roles, responsibilities, and mindsets so we can flourish where we are called to serve.